Alex Eala told she must fix ‘liability’ shot if she wants to win future Grand Slam as John McEnroe weighs in

Alex Eala’s “liability” serve has been targeted by John McEnroe, with the seven-time Grand Slam winner claiming that the Filipina must fix it to achieve Major success.

McEnroe claimed “the sky is the limit” for Eala, but was unable to resist dissecting her “liability” serve after the Filipina exited the US Open in a three-set blockbuster versus Iva Jovic.

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John McEnroe targets Alex Eala’s ‘liability’ serve after US Open exit

As reported by Tennis 365, McEnroe was quick to praise the Filipina’s game, but questioned whether Eala is in possession of “the full package” ahead of future Majors.

“In tennis you need the full package,” stated the America. “You need the movement, you know, that’s obviously extremely important in tennis, with [both] men and women.

“Is she a great athlete? Yes, but to be that A+, that’s where you get found out — if you are not at that level."

“Not everyone’s 6’1, or six-feet like [Elena] Rybakina, or [Aryna] Sabalenka at 5’11. Not everyone is as fast as Coco Gauff. That’s the type of thing that would bring Eala to the next level.

McEnroe was then questioned what is impacting Eala’s ability to compete seriously at Grand Slam tournaments, and pinpointed her serve as a “liability.”

“If she wants to win one of these majors, she’s got to improve the serve. It’s a liability. It’s gotten better, but, you know, there’s more to come,” confessed the seven-time Slam victor.

In her three-set defeat at the American’s hands, Eala won a lower percentage of both first and second serve points: 61% to 59% to Jovic on first serves, and 42% to 36% on second serves.

She also struck less aces, three to Jovic’s four, and double-faulted more frequently, five times to the American’s four.

In a game of such fine margins — Eala was just two holds away, up 4-3, in the third set against Jovic — these service errors can evidently prove costly.

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What’s next for Alex Eala after her US Open crash-out?

While McEnroe is already predicting future Grand Slam success for the 21-year-old, if she can fix her serving issues, Eala is yet to win a Tour title above 500-level.

While many are predicting her to make multiple late-stage runs at 2027 Slams, the Filipina athlete could secure her first WTA 1000 title if she appears at the Wuhan Open in mid October.

Eala confirmed after her loss to Jovic that she will not be present at the China Open, which runs from September 30 until October 11, opting instead to compete in the Asian Games.

That tournament runs from September 27 to October 3, with Eala hoping to bring glory back home to the Philippines.

A slightly later start-date for the Wuhan Open — which runs from October 12 to October 18 — means that Eala could decide to play the year’s final WTA 1000 event.

The 21-year-old won her first and only Tour title at the Washington Open, in the hardcourt swing prior to the US Open. A 1000-event victory would set Eala up well for what she hopes to be an even stronger 2027.

The Filipina star spoke candidly on what she has learned in 2026, after her loss to Jovic in the States. Eala said: "With the experiences that I've had this year, I'm put in so many situations… so many firsts. And with those situations come new lessons.

"I’ve learned about myself. I’ve learned about how to act, I’ve learned about what's the best way for me to handle an obstacle. What I've learned tonight [against Jovic], I have yet to process.

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“But what I know for sure is that I left everything out there. I fought through the ups and downs. What I know for a fact is that I fought, so I'm happy with that,” concluded the 21-year-old.